BINTULU: More than 7.21 million illicit cigarettes and thousands of litres of liquor worth RM7.25 million were seized by the Sarawak Customs Department in a series of raids on abandoned properties and a warehouse here last month.
Its director, Datuk Norizan Yahya, said the goods were uncovered in four operations conducted between May 17 and 19 by enforcement teams from Bintulu and Sibu Customs divisions.
“The largest haul was discovered at an abandoned warehouse along Jalan Bintulu-Miri, where officers seized 5.42 million cigarettes, 2,788.8 litres of liquor, and two vehicles believed to have been used in the operations.
“Further inspections at abandoned houses in Taman Seaview and vacant premises at Plaza Li Hua led to the seizure of additional illicit cigarettes and liquor believed to have been smuggled into the state.
“Altogether, the department have seized 7.21 million cigarettes and 8,109.72 litres of liquor, with the total value of the goods, including duties and taxes, estimated at RM7.26 million,” he said at a press conference today (June 11).
No arrests were made during the raids.
Norizan said syndicates were believed to be using abandoned houses, vacant premises and empty warehouses as temporary storage facilities before distributing the contraband goods to the local market.
All seized items have been confiscated for further investigation.
The cases are being investigated under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967 for possessing or storing illegal or prohibited goods.
If convicted, offenders may be fined up to 20 times the value of the goods or RM500,000, whichever is greater, or sentenced to prison for a term of up to five years, or both.
